LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – With excellence as the program standard, the University of Sioux Falls Softball Team ranked a program-best sixth in NCAA DII with a 3.740 grade point average as a 2020-21 Easton/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar-Athlete Team. In the announcement today by Easton/NFCA, USF also had a program-high 15 team earn All-America Scholar-Athlete distinction.
USF's group of 15 was among a record number of 8,800 total softball scholar-athletes across seven membership divisions, who earned the recognition after accumulating a 3.5 grade point average or better. USF's All-America Scholar-Athletes include:
Emily Cheloha of Omaha, Neb.;
Damaris Cuevas of Omaha, Neb.;
Rachel Klassen, Elkhorn, Neb.;
Megan Lawson, Omaha, Neb.;
Frankie Mickelson of Rochester, Minn.;
Mika Rodriguez, Laveen, Ariz.;
Shayla Running of Sioux Falls, S.D.;
Peyton Senger of Sioux Falls, S.D.;
Emma Spizzirri, Omaha, Neb.;
Kylan Straight of Logan, Iowa;
Kennedy Thomas of Ankeny, Iowa;
Lexie Swift of Omaha, Neb.;
Emmie Uitts of Elkhorn, Neb.;
Cassie Van Beek of Rock Valley, Iowa; and
Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag of Hull, Iowa.
The outstanding work on the field and in the classroom is pleasing to fourth-year USF Head Coach
Shannon Pivovar.
"Our young ladies continue to amaze me with their dedication to all facets of their lives as Division II student-athletes" noted Pivovar, whose team is also active in service in the community throughout the year. "Our team members know that they get to play softball at USF for four years, but their education will allow them to be successful for the rest of their lives. The emphasis that they put on their academics, and the standard they hold themselves to, is something that I very much admire about each one of them! This honor is very much earned and I am so proud of them!"
USF was tied with the University of Indianapolis for sixth in NCAA DII with the 3.740 GPA, which was just .51 away from the top ranking. Here is the list of the top 10 in NCAA DII --
1. Frostburg State, 3.791
2. Mercyhurt, 3.785
3. Wayne State University, 3.772
4. Upper Iowa, 3.764
5. Trevecca Nazarene, 3.758
6. University of Sioux Falls, 3.740
6. University of Indianapolis, 3.740
8. Emporia State, 3.719
9. West Chester, 3.713
10. Adelphi University, 3.704
Established in 1983, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) is the professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches from all competitive levels of play. Growing from 40 members in 1983 to over 5,700 today, the NFCA boasts members from all 50 states and 11 international countries – Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland and Sweden.
